Software brittleness refers to the tendency of software systems to become fragile or break easily when changes are made or when they encounter unexpected conditions. This concept is often associated with software that is poorly designed, tightly coupled, or lacking in modularity and flexibility. When a software system is brittle, small changes in one part of the system can lead to errors, bugs, or failures in other parts of the system, making it difficult to maintain and evolve over time.

An "unofficial patch" typically refers to a modification or update to a software application or game that is created by individuals or groups outside of the original developers of that software. These patches are often released to fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, or address compatibility issues that the official development team may not have addressed or may not intend to address in future updates.

NBC Teletext was a service that provided text-based information and additional content to viewers as a supplement to regular television programming. It functioned by transmitting data through the broadcast signal, allowing users with compatible television sets or dedicated teletext decoders to access various information such as news articles, weather updates, sports scores, and programming schedules. Teletext was popular in several countries throughout the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in Europe.

TVNZ Teletext was a text-based information service provided by Television New Zealand (TVNZ). It offered viewers a range of information, such as news, weather updates, sports scores, and entertainment listings, all accessible through their television sets. The service used a teletext standard that allowed users to display text pages on their screens, which could be accessed using remote controls.

Linear Tape-Open (LTO) is a magnetic tape data storage technology that is designed for high-capacity and high-performance data backup and archiving. This open standard format was developed by a consortium of companies, including IBM, HP, and Quantum, and was first introduced in 2000. LTO technology has evolved through several generations, each offering increased storage capacity, improved data transfer rates, and enhanced features.

"Communications, Computers, and Networks" is a broad field that encompasses the study and application of various technologies and systems that facilitate the transfer of information and data among devices and people. Here’s a breakdown of each component: 1. **Communications**: This refers to the methods and technologies used to transmit information. It can include: - **Communication protocols**: Rules and conventions for data exchange. - **Media**: Various types of transmission mediums such as wired (e.g.

"Computer Lib/Dream Machines" is a significant work by Ted Nelson, published in 1974. It consists of two intertwined essays that explore the potential of computers and digital media. In "Computer Lib," Nelson argues for the democratization of access to computers and encourages users to understand and shape technology rather than passively consume it. He critiques the technocratic approach to computing and highlights how technology can empower individuals.

"Neuromancer" is a science fiction novel written by William Gibson, first published in 1984. It is one of the seminal works of the cyberpunk genre, influencing a wide range of literature, film, and popular culture. The story follows Case, a washed-up computer hacker who is hired by a mysterious employer named Armitage to pull off the ultimate hack.

Internet search engines are tools or software systems designed to retrieve information from the World Wide Web. Users input queries, typically in the form of keywords or phrases, and the search engine returns a list of results that are most relevant to that query. Here’s how they work and what features they typically include: ### How Search Engines Work: 1. **Crawling**: Search engines use automated bots (known as crawlers or spiders) to browse the web and discover new or updated pages.

Greasemonkey is a popular userscript manager extension for the Mozilla Firefox web browser. It allows users to customize the way web pages are displayed and function by adding small scripts that can modify the content or behavior of the page. These scripts, known as userscripts, can be written in JavaScript and can be applied to specific web pages or to all web pages.

An automated telephone survey, also known as an automated or voice-based survey, is a method of data collection where respondents receive phone calls and respond to a series of questions through their phone's keypad or voice recognition technology. These surveys are typically conducted using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which allows the caller to navigate through a series of predetermined questions and options without the need for human operators.

Cahaly v. LaRosa is a notable legal case involving issues related to defamation and the First Amendment. The case revolves around a dispute between two individuals, where one party (Cahaly) claimed that the other (LaRosa) made false statements that harmed his reputation. In particular, the case drew attention for its examination of the standards for proving defamation, especially concerning public figures versus private individuals.

"Almud" can refer to a few different concepts depending on the context: 1. **Historical Reference**: Almud is a term sometimes associated with historical geographic or architectural references, particularly in relation to certain regions or structures in the Iberian Peninsula, though it is not widely recognized in English. 2. **Cultural Reference**: In some cultures, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries, it may relate to terms or names associated with local heritage, though specifics can vary.

A predictive dialer is an automated telephone dialing system used primarily in call centers to increase the efficiency of outbound calling. It works by automatically dialing a list of phone numbers and routing the answered calls to available agents. The main features and functions of predictive dialers include: 1. **Automated Dialing**: Predictive dialers automatically dial multiple numbers simultaneously and connect answered calls to available agents, minimizing wait times.

Skills-based routing is a strategy used in customer service and contact center environments to match incoming inquiries or requests to the most qualified agent or representative based on their specific skills and expertise. This approach ensures that customers receive assistance from agents who are best equipped to address their needs efficiently. ### Key Components of Skills-Based Routing: 1. **Skill Identification**: Agents are assigned specific skills or competencies based on their training, experience, and areas of expertise.

A virtual queue is a system that allows customers to reserve their place in line without having to physically wait in line. Instead of lining up in front of a service point—such as a restaurant, theme park, or retail store—customers can check in or register through a mobile app or website. Once in the virtual queue, they receive updates about their position, estimated wait times, and notifications when it’s their turn to be served. **Key Benefits of Virtual Queues:** 1.

Dextrose equivalent (DE) is a measure that quantifies the extent of hydrolysis of starch or other carbohydrates into simpler sugars, primarily glucose or dextrose. The DE value indicates the relative degree of polymerization of the carbohydrate. Specifically, it is defined as the percentage of reducing sugars (expressed as dextrose) available in a sample compared to the total carbohydrate content, multiplied by 100.

Phonomotor is a term often associated with a concept or technology related to sound and movement. However, it is commonly linked to the field of linguistics and cognitive science, particularly in studies involving speech perception, phonetics, and language acquisition. In some contexts, "phonomotor" may refer to mechanisms or processes that engage auditory stimuli (like sounds or speech) to trigger or influence motor responses.

The "blue hour" refers to the period of twilight after sunset or before sunrise when the sky takes on a deep blue hue. This phenomenon occurs when the sun is below the horizon but still illuminates the atmosphere, scattering the shorter wavelengths of light. The blue hour is particularly favored by photographers and artists because of the soft, diffused light it creates, which can enhance the mood and color of the landscape.